18,000 Special Trains to Run Till November End for Festive Rush
Indian Railways operates 18,000 special trains for Diwali and Chhath Puja, including upgraded Vande Bharat services and new routes.
Indian Railways is gearing up to manage the massive surge in passenger demand during the ongoing Diwali and Chhath Puja festive season. To ensure smooth travel for millions of commuters, authorities have confirmed the operation of approximately 18,000 special trains. As of November 10, 2026, additional capacity remains available on these services to facilitate travel through the end of the month.
New Puja Specials and Expanded Routes
To address the heavy influx of travelers, several new services have been introduced. A key addition is the Rajendra Nagar Terminal–New Delhi Puja Special (02309/02310). This service is operating as a tri-weekly special, providing five trips in each direction between November 11 and November 21, 2026.
Other significant services commencing operations on November 10, 2026, include:
- Lucknow–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) Festival Special (04258): A one-way reserved service for passengers traveling towards Maharashtra.
- Ludhiana–Samastipur Unreserved Festival Special (04684): An essential service providing connectivity with key stoppages in Lucknow and Gorakhpur.
Vande Bharat Upgrade for Delhi-Patna Route
In a major boost to passenger comfort and capacity, the New Delhi–Patna Junction Vande Bharat Festival Special (02252/02251) has been upgraded. To accommodate the high volume of travelers heading to Bihar, the train formation has been increased from 16 coaches to 20 coaches.
Connecting Major Hubs and Enhancing Safety
Railway operations are strategically focused on connecting high-demand metropolitan hubs like Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, and Pune with major regions in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. West Central Railway has also integrated several additional services to alleviate regional pressure, including:
- LTT–Danapur (unreserved)
- LTT–Gorakhpur
- Pune–Danapur
To maintain order and ensure passenger safety at major transit points like New Delhi and Udhna, the railways have established dedicated passenger holding areas. These areas are capable of accommodating 20,000 individuals each. Furthermore, there has been a significant deployment of additional Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel to manage the crowds and maintain security.
Traveler Advisory and Booking Information
Passengers are advised to verify seat availability and specific train schedules through the official National Train Enquiry System (NTES) website or mobile application. For immediate assistance, the railway helpline 139 is available. All bookings for these festive special services can be made via the official IRCTC website or through authorized booking platforms.